To describe listening to Muneshine’s music as a walk in the park is an underestimation of his work whatsoever but if referring to the lushness and relaxing effect of the jazzed-out arrangements and vibes that ornament this Canadian’s production then there’s a point in it at all.
Muneshine’s remarkable skills first came to the listener’s attention on Lightheaded’s 'Pure Thoughts' and Louis Logic fans will recall him from the latter’s 'Blame It On The Hooch' album, where the Canadian produced a track called 'Watching You RMX'. This album is a collection of never released before beats of which the soul but mostly the jazz drips off. 16 Lovely productions of which only the last one 'So Be It' holds vocals by Phocus colleague Raks One and Realson. Not that Muneshine’s beats actually need vocals because they pretty much tell a tale of their own and could well fit as a soundtrack to some indie film, but for a hip-hop fan it’s always nice to hear some raps even when instrumental albums have become a current standard in underground hip-hop.
While jazz is the main ingredient, there’s also bits of soul (a Donny Hathaway sample in 'Love Is Love'), a chump of disco ('Worldwide') and lots of funk that mingles with the jazz in some kind of Bob James-atmospheric way (especially with the flutes and saxes added).
I hear you coming, dear reader, but whether this reaches a Jay Dee or Madlib level is not really the question here, despite the many influences and the high standard of this collection, Muneshine’s more precocious as he dares not to experiment as much as the mentioned master-producers, rather call him a student at the top of his class, graduating in a year or two with some smashing album that will outclass this already phenomenal instrumental debut. Muneshine is the next best thing.
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Like it is with most hip-hop fans, the production usually hits me before the lyrics do. The music is a canvas for the emcee to do with what he pleases, but if he isn't careful, his raps can severely hinder the potential of even the greatest of beats. As I've recently mentioned, there has been no shortage of good beats in 2007. In fact, the year has essentially been governed by the producer, not only due to a lack of lyrical LP's, but the sheer fact that the beat makers seem to be on their A-game.
Muneshine, a Toronto-based producer who has worked with names like Sean Price and Little Brother, doesn't provide himself with lyrical obstacles on "A Walk in the Park," an album full of hard hitting, soulful instrumentals. Partly modeled after early BBE Beat Generation albums, a series that has featured the works of some of hip-hop's greatest producers, "A Walk in the Park" is aptly titled. Joggers who rock the iPod for their morning run need look no further, as it's truly ideal. And yes, this means Aesop Rock's Nike shit will be taking a backseat.
Sixteen tracks deep and at 55:57, the listen is smooth almost throughout, flowing cohesively due to extremely consistent sampling. Muneshine likes his beats to bang, and they certainly do. With a style that could be compared to the likes of 9th Wonder and Pete Rock (whom he has indeed collaborated with), he has a mellow approach to his music, using bass to make his tracks even more melodic. "Intergalactic" is gorgeous, building up with an appropriate, spacey sample and knocking hard. "Worldwide" shivers with a disco vibe, and "Bon Jour" is an absolute banger, riding a great French sample.
Muneshine does a good job in flipping Donny Hathaway on "Love is Love," and the intertwining flute and acoustic guitar of the title track soothes as much as it induces an infectious head nod. "Four Seasons" doesn't quite do justice to the four-part Vivaldi suite (it isn't an adaptation), but it's a hell of a hip-hop version. Three short (and particularly nice) "interludes" help break up the album, and emcees Raks One and Realson make for the only vocals on the entire album, tearing up the closing "So Be It."
The only scolding Muneshine might deserve is over his refusal to venture outside his comfort zone. Cool 70's soul-jazz and straight loops dominate the album, and while he rocks it well, it's all he really rocks. That said, you can commend him for his ear, although some of the drum loops he samples (only on a couple tracks) are immediately recognizable from other songs. Ironically, Muneshine's upcoming album "Status Symbol" features only his raps, not his beats. That's unfortunate.
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